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Ratings: ★★★★☆ (4.5/5)
Genre: Historical Fiction / Family Saga / Literary Fiction

Book Review:
Arlene J. Chai's ''The Last Time I Saw Mother'' is a beautifully crafted, emotionally resonant novel that explores the complexities of family, identity, and the truths that shape our lives. The story follows Caridad, a woman who was given away as a child and whose past has been hidden from her. Through the voices of three women—Emma, Ligaya, and Thelma—the novel slowly reveals the secrets that bind them together. Each woman carries her own regrets: Emma wonders about the choices she might have made, Ligaya trades her dreams for security, and Thelma fights for the love of a daughter not rightfully hers. As their stories unfold, the fragile ties that hold them together are tested, yet they discover the unexpected healing power of truth. Chai's prose is elegant and evocative, capturing the richness of Filipino culture and the universal struggles of family. As Bryce Courtenay raves, this is ''a gloriously accessible book that burns with a woman's fierce love.'' A deeply moving read.